Giants get their new center fielder on a two-year deal

Even after the big acquisitions of Evan Longoria and Andrew McCutchen, the Giants still had a glaring need in center field. They have now found a solution.

The Giants have confirmed to Bay Area News Group a report that they have agreed to a 2-year, $6 million deal with center fielder Austin Jackson. Incentives in the contract could push the deal up to $8.5 million.

Jackson, who turns 31 next month, played for the Cleveland Indians in 2017, batting .318 with seven home runs and 35 RBIs in 85 games. Having played all three outfield spots last season, Jackson figures to slot into the Giants lineup as the starting center fielder. Once a tremendous defensive center fielder, Jackson’s defensive prowess seems to have regressed a bit. Jackson has finished below average in defensive runs saved the past three seasons.

But as he showed last season, Jackson can still make highlight-reel catches, like this one:

In addition to the Indians, Jackson has also played for the Detroit Tigers, Seattle Mariners, Chicago Cubs, and Chicago White Sox. In eight seasons at the big league level, Jackson is a career .275 hitter.